Bundesliga Betting Picks - 5 August 2011

Rob Alexander finds a bet in the first match of the Bundesliga season.

As is tradition in the Bundesliga, the champions kick off the season at home. This season Borussia Dortmund have that honour and they take on Hamburg at the 80,000 capacity Signal Iduna Park. The two sides have never played out a scoreless draw in the Bundesliga in Dortmund so both sets of fans will be expecting goals.

Hamburg have stats on their side going into the match as in all four previous matches they have played in game week one against the defending champions they have won three times and drawn once. Borussia Dortmund have also failed to win any of their opening matches following on from their three previous Bundesliga titles.

Dortmund will miss last season's star player Nuri Sahin, who was snapped up by Real Madrid. Twenty-year old Ilkay Gündogan was signed from FC Nurnberg to replace Sahin and will make his debut against Hamburg.

Hamburg are clearly a side going through a big overhaul after a disappointing eighth place finish last season. New sporting Director Frank Arnesen has brought in four player from his previous employer, Chelsea. They include young England defender Michael Mancienne and Jeffrey Bruma.

Dortmund defeated Hamburg 2-0 in the pre-season Liga total! Cup tournament and a similar result this Friday (tonight) will go down well with the fans and players alike.

Despite the statistics being in Hamburg's favour, I'm picking Borussia Dortmund -1.5 at 2.42 with bet365.Their superior squad and preparation pre-season should see them through comfortably against a Hamburg side for who this match has probably come too early in their rebuilding job.

Back Borussia Dortmund -1.5 at 2.42 with bet365.